Armenia’s Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Office reports that its representatives have visited the alternative punishment division of the Ministry of Justice where Shahen Haroutyunyan was taken after being detained today in Gyumri by local police after having refused to move away from the stage where Pope Francis was to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

There, HRD representatives talked to Haroutyunyan, his lawyer, and his mother.

They discussed the legality of Haroutyunyan’s detention with his lawyer, and also discussed the possibility of presenting a complaint in the manner set forth by legal protocol.

At this moment, Haroutyunyan has been released.